THE METHODIST CHURCH OF HAITI - IT'S ORIGIN
By Rev. Moise L. D. Isidore, President of the Eglise Methodiste d'Haiti
It (Methodism) is the oldest protestant denomination to have established itself within the shores of Haiti some thirteen (13) years after the western part of the island had declared its independence from France in 1804. In 1817, President Alexandre Petion invited the British Methodist Church to send missionaries to help with the introduction of the Lancastrian Method of Education (Mass education in those days). Thus, on the 7th of February 1817, arrived James Catts and John Brown who were sent by the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society (WMMS). Permission was granted to them to begin their missionary duties and it was couched in the following terms fro President Petion:
"In accordance with your wishes, I am writing to give you the authorization you seek. I hope your project will be crowned with the success it deserves. I am convinced that education raises man to the full dignity of his being and contributes to his happiness in society. As to the free exercise of you religion, Article 49 of our Constitution, provided you observe the laws of the land, gives you the necessary freedom to undertake the work Mission. I will do everything within my power, gentlemen, to prove to your Missionary Society how flattered I am that they have chosen to help us and the extent to which I will work with you for the good of my fellows. Do not hesitate to come to me when ever I might be able to help. Be sure of my full support."
In spite of the favorable beginnings, the Methodist work was to come under persecution some two years after it began on 13 March 1819. And, for more that a century that persecution continued under the impulsion of the Roman Catholic Church. In spite of the difficulties, the work developed and spread to the eastern part of the island. Up to 1932, according to Synod minutes of that year the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic constituted one district of the West Indies Sub-Conference of the British Methodist Conference.
In 1933, the Circuits in the Dominican Republic were handed over to the Board for Christian Work. The Methodist work in Haiti was becoming very expensive to maintain and the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society was wondering how much longer it could continue to support it. This is understandable since England, like the rest of the world, was still under the effects of the Great Depression of 1929. With the arrival of Rev. H. Ormond McConnell, sent in 1933 by the WMMS to perhaps witness the closure of the Methodist work in Haiti, the Haiti Church received a new lease on life.
Today, we have 105 schools with more that 17,500 children attending. Only three of these schools are financially autonomous. We have 136 churches and places of worship with 7,257 communicant members without taking into consideration the children and the adherents which make a total community of close to 80,000 souls. There are 8 pastors, over 400 local pastors, 6 rehabilitation projects and a publishing house.
THE CIRCUITS OR STATIONS
1999
Cap-Haitian
Rev. Fede Jean Pierre, Superintendent, Office Phone 509-222-2976
Rev. Ralph Denizard, Office Phone 509-262-0409
Carrefour
Rev. Moise L.D. Isidore, Superintendent, Office Phone 509-222-2976
Rev. Jean Louis M. Emile, Office Phone 509-234-1327
Cayes
Rev. Lebrum Corsaire, Superintendent, Office Phone 509-286-0713
Jeremie
Rev. Raphael Dessieu, Superintendent, Office Phone 509-284-5250
La Gonave
Rev. Gesner Paul, Superintendent, Office Phone 509-287-0609
Rev. Jean L. Dorcely, Office Phone 509-222-2976
Petit Goave
Rev. Gesner Paul, Superintendent, Office Phone 509-287-0609
Rev. Jean L. Dorcely, Office Phone 509-222-2976
Port-au-Prince
Rev. Fede Jean Pierre, Superintendent, Office Phone 509-222-2976
Rev. Moise L.D. Isidore, Office Phone 509-222-2976
Supernumeraries
Rev. D. Alain Rocourt
Rev. Sr. Paulette Holly
Study Leave
Rev. Sr. Janetta James
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